How to post a quote in the beginning of your cover letter?

I'm working on my cover letter and I'd like to begin it with my graduation quote (it's 3 sentences long) to try something new (and because I really like the quote).

My question is do I have the quote floating above the "Dear so and so" heading, or have the heading and then include the quote below it before my opening paragraph?

It would just seem odd to say Dear so and so and then have it go right into a quote?

So should it be:

Dear Ms. Jones,

"Graduation nursing quote........." - applicant, RN

Or:

"Graduation nursing quote........." - applicant, RN

Dear Ms. Jones,

------

I also have a question about incorporating a quote from the hospital's mission statement (one that I particularly like) in my ending, to tie it all together (and to show that I care and have read their mission statement). Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations about spacing, italicizing etc a quote towards the end of a cover letter?

I remember from English class that you don't start a paragraph with a quote. You have to introduce the quote first. I wouldn't do it all - I don't think it is the appropriate place for that information.

if you must use the quote, incorporate the quote into a footer in the layout instead of in the body. I think if i read a cover letter with a quote in the body it would seem a little too out of place to me. As fas as the line from their mission statement - i woul incorporate that into the body, but not by directly quoting them, that would come off as awkward and sycophantic. I would more so reference that point in the mission statement and how it relates to your practice.

IMO, to have a quote starting off your letter, or just in your letter period--makes the letter come off as kind of awkward, bordering on cheesy.

I like Flare's idea: instead of direct quotes, take the meaning of the quotes and explain how they apply to your practice. To me, that would come off sounding better than just parroting back someone else's (in one case, your own) words.

I agree with the other users, ditch the personal quote. I understand that it means a lot to you but putting it in the cover letter comes off as tacky and it will take away from your professional image that you are trying to convey to the reader. I like the idea of taking the mission statement of the hospital/facility and breaking it down and using that to guide your cover letter. It will help to show them that you are on the same wavelength as them and you are the person for whom they have been searching.

I don't think the question should be "what is the correct way to start my cover letter with a quote?", but rather "should I start my cover letter with a quote?"

The answer to the first is "there isn't one" and the answer to the second is "no."

I'm a nurse manager and therefore read cover letters. I would not be reading one such as yours (with a three-sentence quote on top) as "wow, she really stands out". I'd be thinking "wow, she really doesn't know how to write a cover letter."

And unless you have something more to bring to the game than other applicants, based on that letter... I'd move on.

I don't think the question should be "what is the correct way to start my cover letter with a quote?", but rather "should I start my cover letter with a quote?"

The answer to the first is "there isn't one" and the answer to the second is "no."

I'm a nurse manager and therefore read cover letters. I would not be reading one such as yours (with a three-sentence quote on top) as "wow, she really stands out". I'd be thinking "wow, she really doesn't know how to write a cover letter."

And unless you have something more to bring to the game than other applicants, based on that letter... I'd move on.

Hi, how are you? I'm a recent grad RN looking for work. Was wondering if you could by chance read two of my cover letters and lend any advice or critique it from a managers point of view?

what are your thoughts on this person's cover letter and resume? i am a second degree nurse and i'm also a designer, so i'm always looking for ways to stand out a bit and i've seen cover letters with quotes before that i've liked. personally the person's resume/CL above is overly designed to me and i would leave out the photo as well, but that's also what supposedly helped get her a job.

instead of using my graduation quote (i agree that is cheesey) i was still thinking about using a small excerpt from a recommendation letter similar to what Char did, do you still think that's a terrible idea that i should nix?

I entirely concur with the majority of the responders here. I know you want to stand out, and you think that putting this very special quote in your cover letter will do that, but actually.... it will make you stand out, but not in a good way.

Nursing Schools REALLY do students a disservice when it comes to the basics of cover letters, resumes, and appropriate dress for interviews. I was shocked when I went into my MPH program and actually attended a class on all of those things. (And yes, it was healthcare admin, most of those folks now are CEO, COO, CFO). They detailed dress down to the color of panty hose that should be worn, and if a woman choses pants, what style and type. Was it easier for me to get a job after that...YES.

What I was taught was to avoid anything that smacks of you trying to show some "Personality". Yes, you want to stand out, but, when you try to stand out in your dress, or your resume, or your letter, you detract from your qualifications- as people are suddenly focused on your dress/scented letter/color paper resume, and you also give them an opportunity to reject you- "She dressed strangely, I hate funky chunky jewlrey etc./Her resume was 7 pages, obviously she does not how to be brief/Her cover letter had a quote in it that I really think was cheesy/etc. " If you look like a Professional through and through then they have no outward reason to reject you. Secondly, once you secure the job, you can be as original as you want. it is only for the first look that you want to appear as professional as possible. Do I make sense?

For many years, I think schools have been lax at helping students prepare. The job market was a free-for-all. Its unfortunate now that it is a tight market that schools are not taking more time on how to prepare yourself to get the job.

Nursing Schools REALLY do students a disservice when it comes to the basics of cover letters, resumes, and appropriate dress for interviews. I was shocked when I went into my MPH program and actually attended a class on all of those things.

What did you learn from this class? For interviews in healthcare field or as RN?
-Cover letter / resume tips?

I have mine attached in my post below, I welcome feedback, if you feel inclined.